MUSICAL DIRECTOR
Debra Shearer-Dirié
Originally from Perth, Western Australia,
Dr. Debra Shearer-Dirié maintains an active career as a choral
conductor, music educator, clinician and scholar. She holds a Master
of Music Education degree and Doctor of Music degree in Choral
Conducting from Indiana University in the United States. During her
time at Indiana University she was director of the Indiana University
Children’s and Youth Choir; assistant director to maestro Paul Hillier
with the Pro Arte Singers; and Director of the International Vocal
Ensemble at Indiana University for two consecutive years.
With a Bachelor of Music Education degree from the University of
Western Australia, Dr. Shearer-Dirié began her teaching career in the
public and private primary and secondary schools of Western Australia.
Here she taught both instrumental and choral music. After an exciting
encounter with the teachers from the Kodály Institute in Kecskemét
Hungary, Dr. Shearer-Dirié was accepted into the diploma program and
spent the academic year of 1990-91 studying in Hungary. The high
standard of music education that she observed there made her eager to
return to her own country to assist in the enhancement of a similar
system. She ran several in-service sessions for the music educators in
Western Australia and has been a clinician for the Australian Kodály
Society (KMEIA) to assist in spreading the word of Kodály and
improving the standard of music education in Australia.
After returning from Hungary, Dr. Shearer-Dirié taught at St. Hilda's
Anglican Girls' School in Perth for 4 years before she was invited to
study at the School of Music at Indiana University. After the
completion of a Master of Music Education at Indiana University, USA,
she turned her sights to choral conducting in pursuit of a Doctoral
Degree (with sub-specialization in Music Education, Ethnomusicology,
and Music History). While studying conducting with Mr. Robert Porco,
Dr. Thomas Dunn, Paul Hillier, Jon Washburn, Vance George, and Dr. Jan
Harrington, Dr. Shearer-Dirié has become experienced in a vast range
of musical styles and practices.
Dr. Shearer-Dirié was Adjunct Faculty at Indiana University for two
years and was conductor of the University’s Chamber and Youth Choir.
She also taught undergraduate and graduate choral conducting at the
Indiana University School of Music. During the 9 years at Indiana
University, Dr. Shearer-Dirié gained a wide experience with both
treble and mixed choruses in music from the Western Classical
tradition to folk music from regions such as: Argentina, New Zealand,
South Africa, Japan, and Hungary. In 1998, she was invited by Dr. Mary
Goetze to conduct the International Vocal Ensemble. During this time,
alongside Artist-in-Residence Sheasby Matiure (Faculty of the
University of Zimbabwe), the International Vocal Ensemble performed
music from a wide variety of cultures concentrating on both the
musical and cultural aspects of each society.
From 2000-2001, she was appointed Artistic Director of the Northwest
Girlchoir in Seattle, a 400-voice ensemble of young women which
performed frequently with the Seattle Symphony Orchestra, directed by
Gerard Schwarz.
After completing her dissertation entitled Emerging Voices in
Australian Choral Music, Dr. Shearer-Dirié was invited to present at
the National Conference of the American Choral Director’s Association
in New York 2003, and at the Australian National Choral Association
(ANCA) conferences in 2004 and 2006. Upon arriving in Brisbane
mid-2003, she conducted the Queensland Young Conservatorium Chamber
Choir through diverse repertoire which lead them to an invitation to
perform at the ANCA conference in 2004. In 2005, Dr. Shearer-Dirié was
appointed Musical Director of the Brisbane Concert Choir, a 60 voice
adult auditioned choir, and in 2006 she founded the Vox Pacifica
Chamber Choir which toured Tasmania in 2006 with several well-received
performances, including appearances at the National ANCA conference.
In her work as Musical Director of these ensembles Dr. Shearer-Dirié
continually searches for opportunities to collaborate with other
musical groups, composers, dancers, visual artists, and cultural
groups to challenge both herself as a musician and educator and those
who work with her.
Dr. Shearer-Dirié lectures in the School of Music at The University of
Queensland and is currently serving on the National council for ANCA,
and as editor of the Australian National Choral Association's Journal
Publication. She is in demand as an Adjudicator for Choral Festivals
and Eisteddfods within the Asia-Pacific region, as well as a clinician
and conductor for Choral Festivals across the nation.
Previous permanent conductors of Brisbane Concert Choir were Dr. Guy E. Jansen (founder and patron), Christopher Kiver, and Graeme Morton. Following a 12 month search and audition process, Dr. Debra Shearer-Dirié was appointed Musical Director of the Choir in 2005.
